Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that it was Opening Day this week. Facebook was full of posts from fans reveling in the beginning of the new season. It was also full of status updates asking questions like:
Ugh. Is it that time of year again?
WHAT is the big deal about Opening Day?
Isn't it just another baseball game?
First off, I immediately wanted to de-friend anyone who asked any of these questions. But in humoring them (and in case you are among the confused), the appropriate answers are:
Damn straight.
It's NOT just another baseball game.
And if you have to ask, you'll never understand...
I took Thursday off work. It was the last billable day of the month. It was doing a lovely mix of rain, sleet and snow out. I had a brief I needed to finish for the managing partner.
Wild horses couldn't have stopped me from being at the game...
In high school, I was never allowed to go to the game until my senior year. That year, it snowed on Opening Day. Not just a few flurries. We're talking full on snowstorm. They sold out of hot chocolate and coffee by the third inning. We made it through the game sucking down hot dogs trying to stay warm...
I've been to every Opening Day I could since then. Even if it meant taking the train back from Maryland or doing the 6 hour drive from Concord for the ballgame while I was in college and law school. Much to my mother's chagrin, I work Rosh Hashana, but I won't work Opening Day.
There's just something special about the day. Even when it's 20 degrees without the windchill and pouring rain (or driving snow).
It's the first trip into the Bronx with my dad and uncle, who I've been watching games with for the past 27 years. It's the ridiculousness of my father buying 37 programs to send to clients and schlepping them around the stadium or hoofing it quickly back to the car to drop them off before walking through the turnstiles. The first time stepping into the Great Hall, seeing all the pictures of the old Yankee greats...or the first time you head out to your seats and can take in the field and the players... it's just amazing. Even when the bleachers does their first roll call of the year, concluding with a rousing chant of "box seats suck" is special.
It's tradition. It's the end of a long cold winter without baseball - the first time checking out your team, with the season full of promise and potential. (Unless you're a Met fan anyway...)
And if you're not a fan, maybe you wouldn't understand. So you'll just have to trust me when I say, the only thing better than being there to support your team on Opening Day is being there cheering your team on when they win the World Series :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Despite being a die hard Phillies fan, and my overall love and adoration for the game, I have never attended an opening day game. I can't even say why. I need to put that on my bucket list.
I don't like baseball and it's not huge in Canada. Are you going to defriend me? lol
when we lived in FL used to go to spring training...20-30 games of it...having no MLB team been enjoying college ball for a month now and minors open in 12 days...
I liked watching the MN Twins play, but since we moved here I a not so enthusiastic. I would rather see my grandsons play and will get that opportunity while I am there next week.
Sounds like a blast! I've never been a huge baseball fan, but I can appreciate a good game and a good team when necessary! I think it's more fun to play than to watch. Hope you guys have a fantastic season!
This is the time of year when I really *love* Arizona. Spring training games galore, and nearly always perfect spring weather for opening day!
Sorry you had to suffer in the rain, but I know it was worth it!!
Post a Comment